Hi Bikemad! I'm thinking about doing El Tour this year as well for the first time. I have an entry level Giant that I'll be riding....definitely not super duper! Try to get some longer rides before November....I plan to do the Memorial ride for Safety up in Carefree on the 14th of Oct as well as the Tour de Farm on Oct 21 in Goodyear (both 60 milers). I ride alone as well, but group rides like the aforementioned get you used to riding around a lot of people. I'm not sure what part of AZ you are in, but the Phoenix bike club has rides for "beginners" every Sunday, where someone is always happy to show you how to ride with a group.